Frequency, Risk Factors, and Mortality for Diabetes Mellitus in 1 225 130 Cats Under Primary Veterinary Care in the United Kingdom in 2019

Waite, Oliver; O'Neill, Dan G.; Wright, Emma; Gostelow, Ruth; Jepson, Rosanne E.; Brodbelt, Dave C.

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common endocrinopathy in cats. General population epidemiology and mortality
studies on DM are lacking.
Objectives: Describe the incidence, prevalence, risk factors, and mortality for DM in cats under primary veterinary care in the
United Kingdom (UK).
Animals: Random sample of 1053 confirmed DM cases from 1 255 130 cats in VetCompass.
Methods: Retrospective cohort study with a nested case–control study. Period prevalence and incidence risk of DM for 2019 were
calculated. Multivariable logistic regression modeling was used to identify risk factors for DM.
Results: Annual prevalence was 0.39% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.37–0.42). Incidence risk (2019) was 0.14% (95% CI, 0.13–
0.16). Mean age and median adult body weight of incident cases diagnosed with DM was 11.8 ± 3.5 years (n = 371) and 5.9 kg
(interquartile range: 4.6–7.1, n = 327). Odds of DM were increased in cats ≥ 9.0 years (odds ratio [OR]: 5.11, CI, 4.10–6.24) compared
with cats 4.5–9.0 years. Burmese (OR: 2.07, CI, 1.29–3.31) and Burmillas (OR: 8.30, CI, 2.59–26.62) had increased odds,
whereas Bengals (OR: 0.24, CI: 0.06–0.98) and Ragdolls (OR: 0.11, CI: 0.02–0.80) had decreased odds of DM compared with
crossbreeds. Of 51.2% (192/375) cats dead within 3 years of diagnosis, 93.0% (176/192) were euthanized; 19.7% (35/178) were euthanized
≤ 3 days after diagnosis.
Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Almost 1/250 cats in the UK live with DM annually. Burmillas were predisposed to
DM, and protection against DM was shown in Bengals and Ragdolls. Early mortality associated with DM diagnosis in cats is
high.

Citation

Waite, O., O'Neill, D. G., Wright, E., Gostelow, R., Jepson, R. E., & Brodbelt, D. C. (2025). Frequency, Risk Factors, and Mortality for Diabetes Mellitus in 1 225 130 Cats Under Primary Veterinary Care in the United Kingdom in 2019. Herpetological Conservation and Biology, 39(4), e70161. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.70161

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 1, 2025
• Online Publication Date: Jun 17, 2025
• Publication Date: Jun 17, 2025
• Deposit Date: Jun 17, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 18, 2025
• Journal: Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine
• Electronic ISSN: 1931-7603
• Publisher: Herpetological Conservation and Biology
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 39
• Issue: 4
• Pages: e70161
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.70161
• Publisher URL: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jvim.70161